Monday, September 27, 2010

Two different sets of dates, one for Europe and one for the U.S, have leaked in regards to Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 launch. The dates are, of course, unconfirmed.

First, Neowin said that it has been told by "sources familiar with Microsoft's plans" that the company will hold several launch events globally on October 21 to introduce its Windows Phone 7 handsets. Devices will hit retail shelves that same day in the U.K., France, Germany Italy and Spain, the site said. Neowin was unable to confirm a U.S. launch date.

Meanwhile, Windows Phone Secrets said that while unable to confirm a European launch, a very reliable source has told them that Microsoft will have a launch event in the U.S. on Nov. 8. Taken together, the two dates seem to support each other.

Meanwhile, there have been rumors of an Oct. 11 event in New York City, but WPS says that event is an annual one, and unrelated to Windows Phone. Microsoft said that Windows Phone 7 has been released to manufacturing (RTM). There have also been a number of video ads leaked, and Microsoft is expected to go all out on Marketing. It has a long way to go to catch up with Android, much less iOS, however.